About Us

The Compliance Officer for the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority ('Compliance Officer') is an independent statutory office holder. He is responsible for investigating complaints regarding MPs' business costs and expenses paid to MPs by the Independent Parliamentary Standards Authority ('IPSA').

The post of Compliance Officer was established by the Parliamentary Standards Act 2009 (as amended by the Constitutional Reform and Governance Act 2010) and the Compliance Officer’s duties and powers are defined in the Act.

The Compliance Officer reports to, but is not directed by, IPSA's Board, who also provide funding for the Compliance Officer to carry out his duties, in accordance with the Act. However, the Compliance Officer is wholly independent from IPSA on a day-today basis, although a close working relationship is necessitated.

The Compliance Officer is appointed for a single term of five years. The position is part-time, working two days per week and is supported by an Investigations Officer who is also part-time and performs the role for three days per week.

The Compliance Officer is not responsible for investigating complaints relating to the registration of financial interests held by MPs or the investigation of allegations that MPs have breached the rules set out in the House of Commons Code of Conduct. For more information on complaints of this nature, please contact the Parliamentary Commissioner for Standards.